Reel Insights

Robert Hays joins Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about Airplane!, the classic comedy that made him a household name as Ted Striker and remains one of the most quotable movies ever made. In this conversation, Hays looks back on the film’s wild legacy, working with Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Lloyd Bridges and Julie Hagerty, and why Airplane! still makes audiences laugh 45 years later.Hays also opens up about the Airplane! Live tour, reuniting with Julie Hagerty, the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped the movie, and why Airplane 3 never happened. He also reflects on his career beyond the cockpit, including Homeward Bound, Starman, Angie and voicing Tony Stark/Iron Man before the Marvel Cinematic Universe became a global phenomenon.Airplane! Live gives fans the chance to watch the iconic comedy on the big screen and hear behind-the-scenes stories from Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty: https://www.airplanelivetour.com/

Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolisTikTok.com/@nerdtropolis

Jack Ryan: Ghost War director Andrew Bernstein joins Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War, the new action thriller that brings John Krasinski’s Prime Video hero back for his most personal and dangerous mission yet. In this conversation, Bernstein opens up about making his feature directorial debut, building the movie as a standalone thriller, and pushing Jack Ryan into a bigger, more cinematic world.Bernstein also breaks down the pressure of jumping from the hit Prime Video series into a feature film, how 1970s action and espionage movies influenced the tone, and why the action had to be larger while still staying character-driven. He also shares why he believes John Krasinski may not be done as Jack Ryan and why there are still more stories to tell in this world.Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War stars John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, Max Beesley, JJ Feild, Douglas Hodge, Betty Gabriel, and Sienna Miller. Directed by Andrew Bernstein, the film follows Jack Ryan as he is pulled back into the world of espionage when a covert mission exposes a deadly conspiracy tied to a rogue black-ops unit.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolisTikTok.com/@nerdtropolis

Jack Ryan stars Wendell Pierce and Michael Kelly join Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War starring, the new action thriller that brings John Krasinski’s Prime Video hero back for his most personal and dangerous mission yet. In this conversation, Pierce and Kelly open up about returning as James Greer and Mike November, taking the franchise to a bigger cinematic scale, and why fans can expect the Jack Ryan world to feel more intense than ever.The duo also breaks down the strange challenge of acting in walking-and-talking phone scenes, from real calls to script supervisors reading lines to performing entire conversations alone. Kelly also shares why adding Sienna Miller to the cast helped raise the stakes, while Pierce praises director Andrew Bernstein for delivering the kind of sharp, heavyweight action filmmaking that pushes the story to another level.Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War stars John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, Max Beesley, JJ Feild, Douglas Hodge, Betty Gabriel, and Sienna Miller. Directed by Andrew Bernstein, the film follows Jack Ryan as he is pulled back into the world of espionage when a covert mission exposes a deadly conspiracy tied to a rogue black-ops unit.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolisTikTok.com/@nerdtropolis

Eugene Mirman joins Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about his new comedy special Here Comes the Whimsy, Bob’s Burgers, and his unforgettable run as Gene Belcher.In this interview, Mirman opens up about recovering after a recent accident, the heartwarming messages he received from fans, and how everyday frustrations, tiny injustices, travel mishaps, fatherhood, and awkward encounters inspired Here Comes the Whimsy.Mirman also talks about the lasting success of Bob’s Burgers, why Gene Belcher still connects with fans, how much improvising happens during recording, and his hilarious dream crossover idea involving The Equalizer, Jason Bourne, and Bob’s Burgers.Here Comes the Whimsy is now available on YouTube and as a comedy album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHPEaN1DxKwVisit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolisTikTok.com/@nerdtropolis

Mireille Enos joins Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about For All Mankind Season 5, the acclaimed Apple TV sci-fi drama that continues to expand its alternate-history space race into a bold new era on Mars.In this interview, Enos opens up about joining the beloved series, stepping into the thriving Mars colony of Happy Valley, and what excites her most about For All Mankind’s powerful mix of space exploration, science fiction, and human drama. She also shares her Houston connection, childhood NASA memories, and why she would rather stay on Earth than live on Mars.Enos also breaks down the thrill of filming weightless scenes, doing wire work for the first time, and becoming part of a series that keeps reinventing itself each season.For All Mankind Season 5 stars Joel Kinnaman, Toby Kebbell, Edi Gathegi, Cynthy Wu, Coral Peña, Wrenn Schmidt, Mireille Enos, Costa Ronin, Sean Kaufman, Ruby Cruz, and Ines Asserson.For All Mankind Season 5 is now streaming on Apple TV.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolisTikTok.com/@nerdtropolis

Gene Simmons and Renny Harlin join Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about Deep Water, the intense new survival thriller from the director of Cliffhanger and Die Hard 2. In this conversation, Simmons opens up about getting his feet wet as a producer on the shark-infested thriller, why the project stood out to him, and why he believes movies like this belong on the biggest screen possible.Harlin also breaks down the challenge of turning a plane crash in the middle of the Pacific into a nonstop, nail-biting theatrical ride. He talks about balancing spectacle, fear, character drama, and emotional truth as the survivors quickly discover the sharks are only one of many dangers waiting for them in the water.Deep Water stars Aaron Eckhart, Sir Ben Kingsley, Molly Belle Wright, Angus Sampson, Kelly Gale, and Li Wenhan. Directed by Renny Harlin and produced by Gene Simmons, the film follows survivors of a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai as they fight to stay alive after crashing in the Pacific.Deep Water is now in theaters.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolisTikTok.com/@nerdtropolis

Ayelet Zurer joins Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about returning as Vanessa Fisk in Season 2 of Marvel Television’s Daredevil: Born Again. In this thoughtful conversation, Zurer reflects on stepping back into Vanessa’s world, what instantly brought the character back to life, and how her powerful on-screen dynamic with Vincent D’Onofrio continues to shape one of Marvel’s most fascinating relationships.Zurer also opens up about Vanessa’s evolution from the woman fans first met in Daredevil to someone far more seasoned, strategic, and dangerous in Born Again. She discusses how Vanessa now understands power, how she works beside Wilson Fisk in his empire, and why she sees herself less as someone who changes him and more as someone who can tame the beast when needed. Their bond, she explains, remains rooted in loyalty, trust, and a deep understanding of each other’s darkness.On top of that, Zurer dives into Vanessa’s emotional state as the tension rises in Season 2, including the fear, dread, and strength that begin to crack through as danger closes in. She also shares what drives Vanessa at her core, how she views love and survival in Fisk’s world, and the personal motto she believes defines the character best. From power and control to loyalty and love, this interview offers a compelling look at one of the most layered figures in Daredevil: Born Again.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolis

David Cross joins Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about his fearless new stand-up special, The End of the Beginning of the End. Filmed at the legendary 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia, the special showcases Cross at his sharpest, blending biting satire, absurd storytelling, and bold commentary on modern culture. In this candid conversation, Cross breaks down the meaning behind the special’s layered title, why he chose to film later in his tour, and how the rapidly shifting political and social climate helped shape the material audiences will see in this latest performance.Cross also dives into the craft of stand-up after more than 40 years on stage, revealing that his writing process has remained remarkably consistent. He explains how he develops material through live sets, revisits jokes that may not immediately land, and why silence can be one of the most powerful tools in comedy. The conversation also explores how stand-up has evolved over the decades, from the early days of traditional setups and punchlines to the rise of alternative comedy, streaming platforms, and social media helping comedians reach audiences faster than ever before.On top of that, Cross reflects on the benefits of releasing his specials through YouTube, giving him creative control and long-term ownership of his work. He also shares thoughts on beloved projects like Arrested Development, Small Soldiers, and his voice acting career, while discussing how audiences continue discovering his work through new platforms and algorithms. With humor, honesty, and insight, this Reel Insights conversation highlights why David Cross remains one of the most fearless and influential voices in comedy today.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolis

John Rhys-Davies joins Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about lending his legendary voice to The Christ , the immersive new audio drama that brings the life, death and resurrection of Jesus to life across four cinematic episodes. In this thoughtful conversation, the Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones icon reflects on the weight of narrating such a powerful story, why the message still resonates today, and how audio can draw listeners into a deeply personal experience unlike anything on screen.Rhys-Davies also opens up about the unique power of voice in storytelling, explaining how tone, pacing and emotion can shape the way audiences feel every moment of a story. He shares how his background in stage performance helped him understand the importance of being heard and understood, while also revealing what makes voice work such a different and rewarding challenge compared to on-camera acting. From the beauty of spoken language to the spiritual depth of oral tradition, his insights make this conversation especially memorable.On top of that, Rhys-Davies discusses how The Christ taps into a long tradition of hearing stories through the spoken word, connecting modern podcast storytelling to the timeless impact of faith, scripture and performance. With Easter at the heart of this release, this interview offers a meaningful look at how The Christ uses voice, music and cinematic sound to tell one of history’s most enduring stories in a bold new way.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolis

Luis Guzmán joins Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about stepping into the Nintendo universe as Wart in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, one of the film’s most unexpected and exciting deep-cut villains.

In this fun conversation, Guzmán opens up about bringing his unmistakable voice to the iconic character, the joy of joining such a massive franchise, and why seeing kids react to Wart on the big screen meant so much to him.

Luis also talks about the legacy of Super Mario, his own memories of classic games like Tetris, and what it takes to build a larger-than-life animated villain using only voice. He shares how he found Wart’s menacing energy, why the character feels like more than a one-and-done addition, and which Nintendo stars he would love to see Wart face off with next. That includes a wild idea involving Glen Powell’s Fox McCloud that opens the door to even bigger crossover possibilities in the future.On top of that, Guzmán also teases what fans can expect from Wednesday Season 3, promising another major leap for the hit series with even bigger surprises ahead. From Nintendo nostalgia to franchise expansion and streaming excitement, this interview is packed with fun reveals and big fan energy for both The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Wednesday.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolis